Glimpses

As we have moved from one country to the next previously unknown city, there’s inevitably the clash with the culture, the visa scam or overpriced taxi ride, and the ache as we hold one more abandoned baby or watch one more elderly woman carry her heavy load.  But then there’s the beauty…

The beauty of a young nurse visiting a leprous woman at a hospital in Southern Sudan, healing hands touching her, praying with her in words she cannot understand but in actions that speak.

The beauty of a teenage orphan in Zimbabwe tossing his “little brother” up in the air, working in one of the gardens that provides for the near 100 person family, having been transformed from the hardened boy he once was.

The beauty of a university student in Vietnam volunteering weekly at a center for disabled children, feeding those who cannot bring spoons to their own lips with their twisted limbs, joking with one who can understand as she also listens and ruffles his hair, studying bio-something-or-another in hopes of helping further.

The beauty of four girls from the UK, three of which just graduated from high school, moving to the armpit of Cambodia to teach English, the Bible, and then to work in construction three sweaty days a week, all while laughing with no hint of fear or dread of the days to come.

The beauty of stories like this one that I will continue to read about but that these devoted ones called by God to walk in these dark places will continue to live out long after our eyes to see journey has faded into the lost pages of cyberspace.

At first glance, she looked like a character out of a movie. I know it is not good to judge a book by its cover, but if I were casting for a movie and needed someone to play a “tough gangster prostitute”, she would have the part…

I could see that though this might not be the most ideal of living situations for Lee, at least someone showed interest in him and care for him, and he seemed to be eating it up. Besides, it is definitely a step up from living alone in a broken down car, at the age of twelve….

He told me about a case that he now has against him for stabbing another youngster. As he spoke I could see the fear, hurt, pain, and heart ache in his eyes; not just about the court case, but about everything: his entire life. Before I left, I put my hand on his shoulder and looked him deep in the eyes and said, “I know it is not easy! But you have to understand, whatever your mother and grandmother have done or are doing, really and truly has nothing to do with you! No matter what they say! You are just a kid and you should not have to live through the things that you have and they are supposed to look after and care for you no matter what! It is not your fault, and I understand why you act out in school the way you do, but it also doesn’t excuse it. You have the choice to use these things that you have been through as an excuse to go on in the way you are now, or you can decide to walk a different path, and prove everybody wrong! I believe in you and I think you are a great kid, and I want to try and support you in whatever way I can. Do you understand?”

And the beauty of your heart affected by these simple stories and pictures, deciding to support a Compassion child, pay for a part of Ahmad’s heart surgery, or plan a prayer time.

The beauty of your life choosing to see and love in your Calcutta.

Calcuttas are everywhere if only we have eyes to see.  Find your Calcutta.
Mother Teresa